How does rapid filtration operate to achieve water clarity?

Rapid filtration achieves water clarity primarily through the process of removing solids that accumulate within the filter media. The filtration technique involves passing water through a bed of filter media, which is typically composed of materials like sand or gravel. As water flows through this media, particulate matter such as dirt, sediment, and other impurities get trapped within it.

Over time, as more solids accumulate in the filter, the efficiency of filtration increases initially because the filter media itself becomes an effective barrier. However, continued accumulation necessitates periodic maintenance, such as backwashing, to restore both flow rates and filtration efficiency. This fundamental operational mechanism highlights the importance of the filter’s physical structure in maintaining clear, potable water.

Other options like adding chemicals typically relate to coagulation or flocculation processes, which are separate steps within water treatment and do not specifically describe the rapid filtration process. Heating water is not a standard practice in rapid filtration systems, as temperature changes do not contribute to the particle removal process in this context. While flushing the filter can be part of maintenance to ensure effective operation, it does not describe the primary function of how rapid filtration achieves clarity.